The Raleigh Heritage Timeline

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1800's

RALEIGH CHAMPION OF THE WORLD

Raleigh was founded in 1887 and its early commercial success was based
on quality machines raced by international cycling champions. By 1892 Raleigh
led the world in bicycle sport success winning over 2,300 prizes worldwide.
A. A. Zimmerman was the first of a long line of Raleigh world champions.

Sir Frank Bowden bought an interest in a small bicycle company on Raleigh Street in 1887

In 1890 The Raleigh Bicycle Company was formed and
in 1896 what was then the largest cycle factory in the world was built
on Faraday Road. This was demolished in 1989.

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1900 - 1920's

A BRITISH MASTERPIECE

This picture formed the front cover of a pre first world war cycle
catalogue and uses a military theme to emphasise the "All Steel Bicycle"
quality image in association with a steel warship. (Raleigh was claimed
to be the only bicycle that was all steel because the fork crown and
bottom bracket were formed from steel not cast iron.)

In 1902 Raleigh bought the rights to a 3 speed hub
gear invented by Henry Sturmey and James Acher. Sturmey Archer gears
have been fitted to Raleigh bicycles ever since.

Frank Bowden had a good commercial mind and
recognised the advantages of having his company products associated with
cycle champions. He signed up most of the world champions of the day.
Raleigh have continued this association with sporting excellence with an
endless list of victors including 27 world champions, 2 Gold Olympic
Medals and overall Tour de France winner. Currently the Raleigh Team is
leading the British Mountain Bike scene with four British Champions in
the last 4 years.

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1920 - 1930's

RALEIGH GIRL

This picture was used on the front
of the Raleigh 1922 catalogue and
also as a poster. The image was
intended to convey the suitability
of cycling for the 'modern' woman.

WAVING TO A PLANE

This was a poster developed in the
early 20's illustrating the freedom that
cycling could bring to the 'modern
woman' and associates the Raleigh
"All Steel Bicycle" theme with a
steel plane.

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1930 - 1940's

KEY TO THE HIGHWAY

This poster from the early 30's
continues the quality theme of
the "All Steel Bicycle" by
associating the Raleigh bike
with a quality steel key.

RALEIGH FOR SPORTSMEN

This poster from the late 30's
links cycling and Raleigh with
other types of upmarket sporting
activity like cricket and tennis.

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1940 - 1950's

During the Second World War the factory was turned
over to munitions but in the 1940's and 50's Raleigh expanded rapidly
and acquired the Rudge, Triumph, BSA and Carlton Brand names.

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1950 - 1960's

CYCLES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

This poster from the early 50's shows traditional roadster models and
also the new Raleigh Lenton Sports, drop handlebar models and promotes
the fact that Credit or 'Easy Terms' were available. (Raleigh Gradual
Payments was Raleigh's own finance company.)

RALEIGH ON THE MAGIC CARPET

This illustration is from the front of the 1958 Raleigh cycle catalogue
and shows modern lighter weight bikes called Sports Light Roadsters or
SLR's for short. It was the new 'lightness' which gave the magic carpet
effect.

In 1952 the Duke of Edinburgh opened the 10 acre
factory which has just been modernised. In these post war years Raleigh
was manufacturing 5 million bikes a year of which 70% were exported to
over 140 overseas markets.

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1960 - 1970's

THE WORLD RIDES A RALEIGH

This poster was developed in the early 60's to promote the fact that
Raleigh was selling over 4 million bicycles a year in over 10 countries
worldwide.

THE RALEIGH LION POSTER

This poster is of a 60's version of Raleigh's longest running campaign
in Africa - which started just after the Second World War. The series of
posters chart developing prosperity in Africa as original posters
showed the rider in just shorts, but over the years he gained long
trousers, a smart long sleeved shirt and finally a gold wrist watch!

In 1960 Raleigh was merged with TI (Tube Investments) and acquired the Hercules, Philips, Norman and Sun brands.

During the 60's the increasing use of cars meant
that the use of commuting roadster bikes declined and Raleigh began to
design and produce more innovative leisure bikes for adults, like the
RSW 16 small wheel model and exciting childrens' bicycles like the
Chopper, Bomber, Vektar and Burner during the 70's and early 80's.

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1980 - 1990's

Despite all the developments and innovations, lack of
investment and poor management by TI saw Raleigh slip into losses in
the early 80's.

Raleigh was sold to a private company "Derby" in
1987 who immediately began a programme of investment and regeneration
which still continues. Raleigh has been profitable ever since the sale.

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1990 - 2000's

Raleigh currently produces just under 1 million bikes
per year for people from 2 to 92. Mountain bikes are currently the most
popular style and over 3 million have been produced to date.